Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:00 PM)

Welcome to the Ravens' weekly chat. I appreciate everyone stopping by to take some time to talk about the defending Super Bowl champions.

Ryan (Hanover, PA)

Can the Ravens get enough out of Rice to justify the contract? I think they had to do the deal but he doesn't look nearly as explosive. Maybe its the Oline?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:02 PM)

Some of it is the offensive line, but at some point, Rice has to break tackles. His longest run is 14 yards. Rice is making $1 million this season (along with the $7 million option bonus picked up in March). I always get tweets and emails about how Joe Flacco is overpaid. But you're the first one to bring up that Rice isn't living up to his contract.

Bob (Baltimore)

Does Kelechi Osemele have a better future at right tackle or guard?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:04 PM)

From the people I talk to, it sounds like Osemele will be better at guard, although he hasn't played well this season. But, if Michael Oher leaves in free agency and the Ravens don't address that spot in the draft or free agency, Osemele has to be an option at right tackle.

Alex (Utah) [via mobile]

Have Dumervil been a letdown so far? Or he what the Ravens really expected from him?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:05 PM)

Dumervil has three sacks, including one in the fourth quarter in Miami. That means he's on pace for 9 to 10 sacks. Plus, the attention he draws has made it easier for Suggs to pick up sacks, too. So, I wouldn't say Dumervil has been a letdown at all.

Joe (Indy)

Are the ravens trying to get Josh Gordon at all? He would be a great pick and if Monroe plays this Sunday how much do you think our O-line will improve on a scale 1-10

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:06 PM)

Why would the Browns give up a big-play receiver to a rival like the Ravens? And why would the Ravens want to pick up a receiver who is one more strike away from being suspended for a year?

Alex (Utah) [via mobile]

Will Monroe start sunday?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:06 PM)

If I had $1 million, I would bet $999,999 on Monroe starting.

Bo (Townsville)

Any chance that AQ Shipley replaces Gradkowski? He looked impressive on tuesday

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:08 PM)

A.Q. Shipley had his chance to win the job in the preseason and didn't do it. I think the Ravens stick with Gradkowski. But, if you've been following the chat for a while, you know I've talked about rookie center Ryan Jensen. The Ravens didn't put him on IR when Jensen had foot surgery. That tells me that they want him to play this year.

Raven (Out of Nest)

Any chance that Jacoby Jones just returns Kickoffs this week and works in as a number 3 or 4 receiver? Doss has looked pretty good returning punts.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:09 PM)

Deonte Thompson also looked very good at returning kickoffs. He had one for over 40 yards in Miami. I would ease Jacoby Jones back and not overextend him on special teams.

Terry (Bmore)

What does the future hold for Pierce? Hard to sign him when so much money is tied up in Rice. You think they deal him this off season?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:09 PM)

The Ravens have Pierce's rights for two more years after this season. No reason to deal him.

CJ (Baltimore)

J-MO! Aside from a few good deflections, the secondary looked pretty poor in Miami. How badly do they figure to get torched against Cobb, Nelson and J Jones this week?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:12 PM)

Totally agree with you about the secondary. The defensive backs looked shaky and let the Dolphins receivers get behind them too many times. The key with the Packers is staying with their receivers when Rodgers scrambles. The Ravens can't let the Packers get too many easy, big-play TDs. The Ravens offense isn't built to score over 30 points right now.

AG (Bethesda, MD)

What is the status on Jacoby Jones, will he play Sunday?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:13 PM)

Jacoby Jones is practicing again. He did the same last week. My guess is he suits up Sunday. Ravens are going to need some playmakers and deep threats Sunday.

Robb (Bel Air, MD)

Why is no one mentioning another reason why the Ravens HAD to trade for a left tackle is that they never draft high enough to get one of the top-tier ones out of college?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:14 PM)

Good point Robb. The Ravens thought they were trading up to get a left tackle in 2009 but Oher never developed into a left tackle. But you're right, if you want a franchise left tackle, you'd better be drafting in the top 10. The Ravens aren't going to be in that draft neighborhood for a while.

Mickey (Boston)

Hi Jamison. Who do you think is the most important player to get back from injury this week? (Realistically - I'm not counting Pitta)

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:15 PM)

It's going to be important to get Marlon Brown back because he's the second-best, all-around receiver that the Ravens have. But the most important this week is Jones because of his ability to go deep. The Ravens are going to need to stretch the field and get big plays if they want to beat the Packers.

AG (Bethesda, MD)

Why would the ravens release Brandon Stokley then re-sign him almost immediately?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:17 PM)

Stokley wasn't going to play Sunday because he missed Friday's practice with a groin injury. So, the Ravens cut him since he was going to be inactive anyway. They picked him back up this week, knowing he has a chance of playing Sunday. Just an administrative/health move.

Alex (Utah) [via mobile]

Who is the Biggest disappointment this year? Im going with Huff , who you got?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:19 PM)

Huff has to be the slam-dunk choice. He was supposed to be the guy who was replacing Ed Reed. He didn't even last four full quarters in the season opener. Of course, some would say Bryant McKinnie but the expectations weren't as high for him.

Chuck [via mobile]

Can you speak a bit about the play of Ihedigbo?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:22 PM)

Up and down season. He's a physical player who is at his best when moving forward. When Ihedigbo has to move back in coverage, he has some lapses. Good starter right now, but Ravens need to upgrade next year.

Lisa P (Bel Air)

What's the latest with McKinnie? Think we keep him as bad as he looked Sunday or are you hearing any rumors we might trade/cut him and recoup a very necessary roster spot?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:23 PM)

At this point, the Ravens are sticking with him. He was out at practice. And the Ravens will probably keep him since his $1 million salary is guaranteed and they need depth at that spot.

Vic (Ellicott City, MD)

Why is Joe Flacco so disrespected by your community? I personally think he is amongst the best clutch QBs in the league.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:24 PM)

When a quarterback signs a $120.6 million contract, a lot of people expect that quarterback to throw for 4,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. Flacco has yet to do that. But no one has won more games since he entered the league in 2008.

George (New York)

Do you think Elam's lapses are rookie mistakes, or is he not as good as the Ravens hoped?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:25 PM)

It's a rookie playing like a rookie. Harbaugh mentioned that teams and quarterbacks are going to target him because he's young. They're going to try to bait him and get a receiver behind him. He's done well until last Sunday in Miami.

David (MD) [via mobile]

Flacco gets hit a lot, but he never seems to get hurt. Is he just really tough or does he conceal injuries?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:26 PM)

A little of both. He had a massive bruise that made it difficult for him to walk in 2009. Flacco takes a lot of pride in being there for his team every game. His toughness has often gone overlooked until lately, when he's been a quarterback pinata the past two weeks.

eric (reisterstown)

biggest disappointments- Dickson, Mckinney, Gradkowski,Huff, Graham

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:27 PM)

I would agree with Dickson on that list. I'm not sure if there were very high expectations for Gradkowski, though.

Vic (Ellicott City, MD)

Hey Jamison why do you think Suggs isn't in the DPOY or MVP conversation? I think he is the best defensive player in the NFL right now.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:30 PM)

Justin Houston has been very good in Kansas City as well as Aqib Talib. But Suggs has to be one of the leading candidates for DPOY. And the MVP conversation begins and ends with Peyton Manning right now.

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:32 PM)

The five highest-paid tight ends average between $6.9 million and $7.5 million per season. I don't think the Ravens have to pay in that range because of the injury. But Pitta should get between $5 million and $6 million. This is purely speculation on my part.

JR (Chicago)

Have injuries caught up with Ngata? His play has slipped the last two seasons. Both he and Suggs have big contracts still on the books, but do you think Suggs will be the only one that the Ravens attempt to restructure/extend?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:33 PM)

Ngata played really well last Sunday and was a big reason why Miami gave up on the run. He's played a lot better than last year.

Jack (Frederick, MD)

How important is the loss of C. Mathews, due to injury?

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:35 PM)

It's huge. He would have made life tough for Michael Oher. The way the Ravens have struggled in pass protection, it's a big break for Baltimore not to face Matthews. Ray Rice called him a "game wrecker."

Jamison Hensley (ESPN)

(2:36 PM)

Thanks again for all of the great questions. I wish I had time to answer more. Let's chat again the same time next week. Hope you enjoy the game Sunday. Take care.